I'm gonna have to combine two chapters since it's like taking a long time for the others to reach Professor Hawkins before he turns into a puppet lol. It was actually funny. The next chapter I might have to combine three or four chapters depending on the situation. There's like one round per chapter. By the way, Shadi's a bitch. Review please!
Atem laid on the couch cupping the puzzle as if protecting it with his hand walls. There was fear in the boy's eyes. Not just of Yugi's safety, but of Professor Hawkins' as well. Ever since meeting Shadi, Atem knew this man would be capable of anything. The guy even tried to destroy the boy's own soul room just because he was trying to protect Yugi. What if something like that happened to the professor?
Solomon came inside the Living Room with his friend Professor Hawkins with him. He noticed the worried look inside his grandson's face. There was a lot on the young boy's mind. Quietness had filled the room. Professor Hawkins pitied what the boy had to face with the weird man in the white robes.
Professor Hawkins was never one to believe in curses, still doesn't. Though, from what Atem had said about this Shadi man, he seemed to possess magic. The archeologist was never one to believe in magic either. He wasn't even sure if he still did. Though, Atem sure believed it and not like the type from the Crazy House.
"How are you feeling, Atem?" Solomon asked.
"We've been talkin'," Atem muttered while cradling the puzzle.
"We?" Professor Hawkins questioned.
"Grandpa, there's something I need to tell you about what happened with me and Shadi," Atem muttered as the two old men sat down on a comfortable chair. "When I woke up, I was in my soul room. Shadi entered my room and saw it was filled with... darkness since I have a dark heart. He sensed only the bad parts of it and claimed I wasn't worthy of having the puzzle."
"Atem, that's ridiculous! Don't even think that!" Solomon said in a glaring matter.
"I'm not done," Atem said. "Anyways, I refused to give out my puzzle. Before I knew it, my whole room felt like a tornado and I was feeling pains all over my body. It was horrible. Then... it was gone. Shadi was forced out of my soul room by my other half, Yugi."
"Other half?" Professor Hawkins questioned.
"Yugi is a spirit who lives inside my puzzle," Atem confessed. "I never mentioned him before, because I was afraid you'd think I was crazy. Though, after the events that took place yesterday, we both agreed it was better for at least Grandpa to know."
"Atem, there's something I need to tell you," Solomon sighed. "Remember the story about how I retrieved the puzzle?"
"Yes."
"I was shot and was about to fall off. I thought I was going to die... that is until I looked up and saw a spirit. He looked like you, only more innocent and childlike. He said he'd been waiting for me."
Atem looked up at his grandpa with a glance and said, "Yugi said he saw you being shot by some thieves who wanted to harm him."
"Are you saying that there's another person inside of you?" Professor Hawkins asked.
"There is. He's over 3000 years old and only remembers his own name. The rest is a blank, but I love him like my own soul," Atem admitted. "Yugi was the one who saved me from Shadi destroying my mind room." The professor gave a glance at his friend who nodded. "We're afraid that Shadi might do the same to you. Without a millennium item, you'll be vulnerable and my puzzle won't do any good. It relies on a strong bond. I have it with Yugi, including the powers that go with it. Nobody else can have the power of the puzzle except me."
"Unity, that's its power," Solomon said. "I've seen magic beyond my journeys. Of coarse, Professor Hawkins doesn't believe in that stuff, but I think he's starting to believe there is some after yesterday's events."
"I have to say, I'm not sure what to believe. The police say that there is evidence of you being drugged, but no evidence of this Shadi. He has no records, nothing. It's like he doesn't even exist," Professor Hawkins explained. "It's like he's a ghost or something."
"Not to mention carries two millennium items," Atem mentioned. "Last I saw him, he said he had to judge one last person. The one who also trespassed into the Valley of the Kings." Professor Hawkins turned pale white and so did Solomon. They both knew who Shadi would judge next. Atem took a deep breath while rubbing the puzzle with his right thumb. "Professor, I think Shadi might challenge you to a Shadow Game."
"A what?" Professor Hawkins asked confused.
Atem changed into Yugi. He stood up with a serious face you'd find in a child. He replied, "A Shadow Game is a test. Like a trial they use today in court, only more dangerous. It was used in my day to judge criminals."
"Are you Yugi?" Solomon asked as Yugi nodded.
"I've played those games with other people who hurt my friends and brother. If a criminal fails the test, they're given a timeout. Technically, it's called a Penalty Game, but timeout sounds better," Yugi grinned. "Anyways, I think Shadi does the same thing. The stranger we found seemed to be facing the same fate as the director who hurt my brother."
"You mean Atem?" Solomon asked.
"Yeah, Brother!"
Solomon chuckled at Yugi's nickname for his grandson. The boy seemed very close to Atem as if he really was his brother. Atem also trusted and loved this boy with all his heart. Professor Hawkins was amazed at the sudden change and the fact that his friend's grandson would change into a completely different person in one second. There was no doubt in his mind that Atem carried two souls in his heart.
"I should get to work," Professor Hawkins muttered as the other two nodded. "Though, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled."
"We'll come with you!" Yugi said with narrowed eyes. "Shadi tried to hurt my brother. He'll hurt you too."
"Hm," Professor Hawkins smirked. "Then I guess there's no time to waste, is there?"
The trio walked together to the professor's office. So far, there was no sign of Shadi anywhere and the travel seemed safe. Both Atem and Yugi were still unsure when and where Shadi would appear. As far as the boys were concerned, Shadi could appear at anytime, anywhere. Solomon thought the same. Professor Hawkins wasn't sure what to think.
Professor Hawkin's office was located in a school building that seemed to be a collage building. It was large with lots of classrooms that looked like a theatre. Yugi was very impressed with the technique and stature. Atem was more worried about Professor Hawkins to think about that. He felt like a bodyguard toward the professor and vowed to not leave his post.
The three of them stood inside the professor's office while feeling uneasy about the whole situation. Very soon, the door knocked and Atem opened it. It was his friends, Tea, Hanaski, Joey, and Tristan.
"Hey!" Hanaski grinned.
"We came to see if the professor was doing alright!" Tea said.
"Well, it just so happens I'm doing splendid!" Professor Hawkins replied with a happy smile.
"Well, glad to hear that, Professor!" Joey grinned as Atem chuckled for his friend.
"We brought you some presents for ya," Hanaski grinned as he handed a small bag of stuff.
"That's very sweet," Professor Hawkins said sweetly.
Atem couldn't help, but smile. His friends were trying to brighten up the day, which seemed gloomy. It was one of those things that made a good bright day. Although, the day suddenly turned gloomy again when he sensed a presents of a familiar power. Atem gasped while clutching onto the rope that held his puzzle.
"Dude, you okay?" Tristan asked.
"Not really," Atem replied. 'Yugi, we need to keep Shadi from entering the professor's soul room.'
"I know, but I only know how to enter your soul room, unless..." Yugi said while rubbing his chin. Atem read his brother's mind and nodded in agreement.
"What's wrong, pal?" Joey asked as a shadow passed over the group. They all turned and stared at the Egyptian man in the white robes.
"Shadi!" Atem glared.
"Hm," Shadi smirked. "It seems you have connections to the one who trespassed into the Valley of the Kings?"
"Listen, I know what you're going to do and you have no right to enter the professor's mind room!" Atem announced as him and the spirit of Yugi took the rope of the puzzle and held it in front, creating a wall barrier. Everyone was shocked at this sight. Joey was aware of the magic that beheld his friend, but only now did he see the magic in action. The most surprised person in the room was Tristan since he had never known about the magic of the millennium puzzle, let alone Yugi.
"Whoa! Since when did Atem start becoming Superman?" Tristan asked in surprise.
"Since he solved that stupid thing instead of selling it on ebay," Joey replied as Atem rolled his eyes despite his sticky situation. Joey was never gonna let that down.
"Nice defense, but even you know that trespassing into the Valley of the Kings is forbidden and the penalty is death," Shadi glared.
"Atem changed to Yugi and he said, "Professor Hawkins had no idea. He deserves mercy despite what he did. Isn't that what anyone deserves? People of this time don't believe in magic anymore. Nobody was taught to believe in it, including the professor. Though, he believes in learning new things and he now has just learned that entering the Valley of the Kings is an act of sin."
"Hm," Shadi smirked. "You talk like a leader. Another thing I can expect out of you, Yugi."
"Yugi?" Joey questioned. He was still unaware of Yugi's existance. Joey was too paniced to ask his friend what Shadi meant by calling Atem Yugi.
"Very well. Seeing you are of a higher status than me, I will except those terms. Still, I must settle our score and to do that, I will need to distract your friends," Shadi smirked as he held his key in front of the barrier and targeted Atem to distract Yugi. Atem fell back on the floor and the shield broke.
"ATEM!" Yugi cried as Shadi used his key on the professor and automatically went into his soul room.
Inside the professor's soul room were shelves of books. On a desk was a picture of Professor Hawkins, his wife, and his son. He had neglected his family for the sake of research. Shadi could see there was no power or fortune the professor was after when entering the Valley of the Kings. It was that glimmer of light that revealed the reasoning for Yugi's judgement on showing mercy.
There, before Shadi, was a light showing hope. It showed two Atem's, one being of Atem himself and another being a childlike version of him, Yugi. There was also Solomon behind Atem, Joey, Tristan, Hanaski, and Tea. These people were of Professor Hawkins' hope that Shadi had not seen. Yugi had made a good judgment on the professor's well being. If Shadi had judged the professor, like he was about to, he would have not foreseen this and destroyed his mind room.
Shadi focused back on other matters. He needed to test the young boy with the childlike features. Although, Shadi had to distract the boy's friends so they would be alone, or somewhat alone. Shadi raised his Key in the air and the mind room was filled with a whirlwind. The man with the white robes showed a small smirk.
Atem got up on his feet and saw Professor Hawkins with unfocused eyeballs. This gave the young teenager a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Professor?" Tea questioned before the professor went up and attacked Joey with his hands around the blond's neck.
"That's not the professor!" Atem warned his friends before they all went up to the zombie version of Professor Hawkins.
"Professor! Snap out of it!" Tristan shouted while tugging on Professor Hawkin's arm.
"H...elp...meeee," Joey squealed.
"Shadi! You leave his soul room alone!" Atem shouted.
"Nooooo," the puppet version of Professor Hawkins replied crazily. "Neeever. Hahahahaha."
"It's official, the professor's gone insane," Tristan concluded.
Tea pulled on the professor's arm before seeing a globe on the desk of the office. She thought quickly and grabbed a hold of it before whacking it across Professor Hawkin's head. Professor Hawkins was knocked off his feet and fell to the ground. Joey gasped for breath as his friend Atem ran to him.
"Joey, are you alright?" Atem asked concernedly.
"Forget about me! Look!" Joey glared, pointing to the professor who was on his feet and running toward Solomon.
"Hawkins! It's me!" Solomon called to his friend's zombie form to grabbed a hold of him.
Joey threw a book at the professor and stuck out his tongue mocking, "nanny nanny boo boo. Kiss my ass professor!" He ran for his life as Shadi's puppet ran after the blond.
"Joey!" Atem shouted. "That's enough, Shadi!"
"It seems he wasn't enough," Shadi thought to himself aloud. Atem seemed to not have patients at this point, but Shadi didn't really care. He needed to distract Atem's friends so he could face the boy alone. He eyed Tea who held the globe in her hands. "Perhaps the young girl will trigger something."
"TEA!" Yugi cried, but it was too late. Shadi raised his Key and traveled to Tea's soul room.
Inside Tea's soul room was a dance floor filled with mirrors. Shadi was impressed with the girl's confidence. He noticed a picture of the childlike version of Atem, who was Yugi of coarse.
"Just as I thought. The girl is Yugi's love interest. I knew she wasn't the dark one's type since her pillow was an average size of a close friend or the girlfriend of a brother. I suppose that's no surprise," Shadi said with a smile. "Yugi does not know his destiny yet, but when he does, I am sure he will forgive me for this action. I must test the boy by taking over the girl's soul room. I will make it to where she can't even speak."
Shadi raised his key and a whirlwind spun around the soul room. This was a great risk that the white-robbed man was taking, but he knew it was worth it. It was only a matter of time before the girl became his puppet.
Meanwhile, back in the Professor's Office, Tea stood there in the center before her eyes turned hallow. Shadi appeared from behind and Yugi felt more scared than he had ever been. Atem kept his eyes focused on Shadi. Atem had no patients for people who attacked his friends, let alone his brother's beloved. Shadi was taking this way too far.
"The girl is now my puppet and unless you except my game. If not, I will destroy her soul room like I almost did with yours. Although, I need Yugi to face it," Shadi threatened.
"Let me take over! I can't risk anything happening to Tea," Yugi ordered with confidence in his heart. Atem nodded and let Yugi take over.
"What's with the name Yugi? Seriously?" Tristan asked in a glaring tone as Atem changed to Yugi. Neither of them had time to answer questions, especially Tristan's.
Tristan gasped before everyone else passed out onto the floor. Shadi said, "your friends will not remember the events that happened. I will deal with your blond friend later."
Yugi narrowed his eyes and demandingly asked, "what do you want with me? I'll play your Shadow Game, just tell me what it is."
"Meet me on the roof in ten minutes, so I can set up the game. The items I need are here," Shadi replied while eying the statues that Professor Hawkins had on the shelves. He took them and some rope before leaving the room. Yugi watched Shadi leave before dropping onto the floor and feeling tears stream out of his eyes.
Yugi felt so helpless. Tea was in danger and the young spirit couldn't stop Shadi from going into the girl's soul room. There was also the fact that if the friends woke up, they'll be wondering where he was. Him and Atem were alone in this game. Non of their friends could help now. Joey was in a pickle with the zombie professor and the rest were knocked cold. Things were looking grim as far as Yugi could tell.
Atem's spirit felt Yugi's suffering and appeared to hold the boy close to him. Atem shushed Yugi and tried to sooth him by brushing his fingers through his thick hair and the bangs out of his face. Tears kept streaming out of his eyes. In reality, Yugi had never been more scared in his life and Atem knew it. Atem kissed on Yugi's head while still brushing his fingers through the boy's hair.
"I'm scared," Yugi admitted while sobbing.
"I know," Atem replied with a soft voice. "Listen, I know you can win this game just like you win on any Shadow Game."
"But..." Yugi wept. "I'm... always the one who challenges them and... non of them have millennium items... like me."
"So?" Atem said with a soothing smile. "That doesn't mean you can't win this one. You have courage that not even I could have."
"How?" Yugi asked. "How can I have courage that you don't have? You're always the stronger one!"
"Yugi," Atem chuckled before kissing Yugi's forehead. "You're much stronger than you think." He held Yugi's head and stuffed his face in that thick black hair. "I was afraid of showing love until you came. You showed me that love isn't a sign of weakness, but strength. You have much more of that than I do."
"Atem," Yugi sobbed as he slowly looked into Atem's dark violet eyes. Atem cupped Yugi's face while wiping the tears from those soft cheeks. Atem's touch made Yugi feel calm and safe.
"Yugi, when I solved the puzzle, I made a wish. I wished for someone who could help change me and become a better friend to those whom I don't understand. You gave me that. You helped me understand Hanaski, that sometimes encouraging him means gentleness. You helped me understand Tea, that can mean excepting the person for who they are and finding good things you might like about them. You helped me understand Seto, that even rivalry and forgiveness can come a long ways. Although, I think I might still need to work on him." Yugi chuckled at that one despite the weight on his shoulders. "The point is, you made my wish a reality. Without you... I wouldn't have given Tea a chance to be my friend and I certainly wouldn't be friends with Hanaski. Thank you."
Yugi hugged his brother tightly as tears leaked out of his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. He was lucky to have someone like Atem to be there for him. Atem meant every word and knew that his brother, Yugi, had given him understanding and kindness to his dark heart. Those pillows were there, because Yugi had shown him to express love that the young teenage boy never thought possible. There were so many things Atem could thank Yugi for, but couldn't think of them right now besides this one.
Atem took his brother's face and nuzzled his face against it. Yugi giggled before glomping on Atem and snuggling against him. He chucked and snuggled his brother back.
"See? You taught me to never be ashamed of express love in more ways than another. Though, I'd prefer to keep it to ourselves. The last thing I need is for Joey to think I'm f***ing with myself," Atem said as Yugi rolled his eyes. Even if Joey was to catch them dead snuggling, he wouldn't be that stupid to think they were having sex. A person would have to be high to think the two boys were doing more than snuggling.
"You gave me the courage to fight," Yugi smirked. "And that's what I'm gonna do. I'll save Tea and Professor Hawkins!"
"That's the spirit!"
The boys glanced at the clock. Ten minutes were almost up. They decided to meet Shadi on the roof to start the Shadow Game. Yugi ran up to the roof to meet Shadi where the game would start. Yugi was not sure what he would face or how he would face it, but he had courage now. Atem believed in Yugi and his strength. He can do this! He can save Tea and Professor Hawkins!